River Plate emerged victorious from a five-goal thriller, defeating Barcelona SC of Ecuador 2-3 in a CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores group stage match on May 9, 2025. The away win in Guayaquil was a crucial result for the Argentine powerhouse in a tightly contested group. Barcelona SC took an early lead, but River Plate responded with two quick goals before halftime to turn the game around. The Ecuadorian side equalized early in the second half, setting up a grandstand finish. River Plate found a late winner through a moment of individual brilliance, securing a massive three points on the road. The match was a classic Libertadores encounter, full of attacking quality and dramatic shifts in momentum.